14 January 2024

Album artwork

Singer-songwriter BILL RYDER-JONES (aged 40) and co-founder of Liverpool psych-pop band The Coral back in 1996 went his own way in 2008. He released 4 albums so far and his brand new one named ILECHYD DA (meaning a Welsh toast to ‘good health’) is out now.

Press info: “Beautifully produced and rich in scope – Iechyd Da is Bill Ryder-Jones’
most ambitious record to date. At times joyous and grand, at others intimate and heartbreaking, the past few years spent producing other artists have provided that
gentle nudge to expand into new territory, from kids choirs and tender strings to dramatically re-contextualised disco samples.”

Ryder-Jones: “It’s been incredible making this. Despite all the life stuff that’s happened,
it has brought me immense happiness. I’ve always railed against it when people ask
if making a record is cathartic but I’d have to admit that this one really was.”

NME: “Wistful cult hero goes for broke. Ambitious, cinematic and hugely affecting. His
solo work has almost always been deeply personal, which is certainly true of this new self-produced record His solo work has almost always been deeply personal, which is certainly true of this new self-produced record. He might not be the steeliest careerist, but the lad from the Wirral has clearly thrown everything at this masterful record.” Full review here. Score: 5/5.

TUTV: I’m not as enthusiastic as NME. Mind you it’s an arresting album, but sonically
a bit too much of the same. It’s a characteristic singer-songwriter work. Melodic, moody and pondering. BRJ meditates about his life, then and now. Several songs make me think of the late Sparklehorse mastermind Mark Linkus which is a great compliment for BRJ.

Key tracks: If Tomorrow Starts With me / This Can’t Go On / Nothing To Be Done

Best piece.
Orchestral splendour.
Goosebumps choir.

ALBUM

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BRJ: Instagram – All Albums